Head of Creative

Title: Head of Creative

Reports to: Chief Creative Officer

Department:Leadership

Classification: Exempt

WHO WE ARE

We are Thesis. Proudly headquartered in Portland, OR, for over 20 years, we're a digital agency hell-bent on humanizing the relationship between people and brands. Our values guide what we do, our culture is built upon the belief that our strength is in our approach, and our work is only as strong as the people, data, creative spirit, and diverse perspectives we put behind it.

THE JOB

We’re seeking a dynamic, multi-discipline visionary to lead our Creative department and give digital a heartbeat. The Head of Creative oversees Design and Writing disciplines and will be crucial in shaping and executing our agency’s brand vision across the Creative team and beyond. You’ll boldly spearhead new business pitches and innovative campaigns. You’ll drive Creative excellence and inspire our diverse teams to push the boundaries of imagination. And you’ll lead the agency by example, transcending a Creative-only mindset and focusing on the agency as a whole. If you have a passion for storytelling, a keen eye and ear for delight, and the ability to lead and mentor a team of Makers, we want to hear from you.

As a person, you are:

• An accomplished leader and strategic partner. You’ll provide strategic direction and leadership to the Creative team, nurturing a culture of iteration, innovation, and collaboration.

• A visionary. You’ll maintain a clear brand vision and ensure that all Creative output aligns with the company's mission, vision, values, goals, and identity.

• Tactful. You excel in building healthy, successful relationships with fellow leaders and clients alike. You expertly navigate challenges, with the health of our business guiding your decision-making. 

• An expert collaborator. You’ll collaborate closely with Account Services, Strategy, Technology, Operations, and other teams to ensure Creative initiatives are aligned with broader business objectives and integrated into overall strategies.

• A Mentor. You’ll recruit, mentor, and develop a team of Creative professionals, nurturing their skills and fostering their growth within the organization.

• Steady. You manage and resolve conflicts and challenges through proactive feedback, kind conversation, and problem-solving. You navigate and balance the needs of the business and your stakeholders.

• Perceptive. You can read a room and stay one step ahead of potential risks and opportunities — all while cultivating and upholding critical relationships. 

As a people manager, you will: 

● Provide Creative leadership and direction, cascading the Creative vision down to Creative leaders to set the standards for effectiveness and communications.

● Communicate and motivate with the willingness to have candid conversations that drive excellence.

● Inspire partnership and trust, fiercely supporting and encouraging your team to bring out the best in others and creating a culture of feedback to bring out the best in you.

In this role, you will: 

● Develop Campaigns: Conceptualize, lead, and execute compelling campaigns across various channels, including digital, print, and experiential, to engage and resonate with our target audience.

● Create Content: Oversee the Creative leadership of high-quality, on-brand content, including but not limited to graphics, videos, copywriting, and interactive media.

● Oversee Digital: Understand product design methodologies and oversee digital product (UX/UI) creation while leading our product design team.

● Manage Creative Budgets, optimizing resources to deliver impactful results within budgetary constraints.

● Do Market Research, staying informed about industry trends, consumer insights, and competitive landscape to inform Creative strategies and maintain relevance.

● Inspire, Manage, and Mentor Creative Teams. Track and analyze the performance of Creative teams and the work we do, using data-driven insights to continuously optimize and improve results.

AS FOR EXPERIENCE, YOU NEED:

• 10 years in a Creative leadership role, preferably in an agency or in-house Creative team setting.

• Strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of Creative work, with a focus on strategic thinking, storytelling (visual and verbal), and innovative solutions.

• Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a team to deliver their best work.

• Deep understanding of branding, design principles, and Creative trends, with a passion for pushing creative boundaries.

• Proficiency in creative software and tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Google Suite) and familiarity with project management platforms.

• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a results-driven mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement.

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Creative Strategy, Design, Writing, Marketing, Communications) or equivalent years of relevant experience.

Department Org 

• Reporting: This role reports to the CCO.

• Coaching: This role provides coaching to Creative Directors, Designers, Writers, and other Creative team members.

• Leadership: This role sits on the Senior Leadership Team and provides agency leadership, as well as tangible and tactical leadership to Creative team members.

• Collaboration: This role collaborates with Agency Leadership.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The following capabilities are required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden on the agency are available to address the following requirements.

• Using standard office equipment, computers, and related technology.

• Certain activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding, and manipulating a computer mouse.

• Bending, reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 25 pounds.

• Occasional travel is anticipated for this role.

• As a proud B-Corp, Thesis prioritizes candidates based in the Portland Metro area to allow for a hybrid working set-up in our beautiful office in NW Portland.

EEO STATEMENT

Workplace equity is not a single checkbox.

It's a vital way of thinking, working, and moving through the world. At Thesis, we prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion. You'll see this in our hiring practices, growth projects, and workplace programs — because our agency, our work, and our society are better when diverse perspectives come together.

VALUES

Be Lean, Take Action: We believe in thinking big, rolling up our sleeves, and getting the job done. And while we love a good plan, we believe in using process as an engine, not a brake.

Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say: We’re all here to learn, grow, and evolve together, which requires connecting, conflicting, and embracing. Honesty and ideas are welcome; ego is not.

Show Up Fully: We invite you to bring your whole self to work — your perspective, cultural background, lived experiences — while creating room for others’ strengths to complement your own. What makes you remarkable is welcome at Thesis.

ENCOURAGEMENT

Above all, be hungry to learn and grow beyond this job description.

We know that marginalized groups often only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications and that many come from backgrounds with different experiences that might seem different. That’s OK; you don’t have to “check all the boxes” as you read this job post. We understand, and we’ll do our best to honor your application.

We also know the confidence gap and imposter syndrome can prevent us from meeting spectacular candidates. So, please don’t hesitate to apply. We’d love to hear from you.

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